How to Make a Flying Toy – A wing is made in the shape shown in Fig. 1 by cutting it from the large piece of an old tin can, after melting the solder and removing the ends.
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Excerpt from the book: THE BOY MECHANIC VOLUME I 700 THINGS FOR BOYS TO DO WITH 800 ILLUSTRATIONS 1913, BY H. H. WINDSOR CHICAGO POPULAR MECHANICS CO. PUBLISHERS
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This wing is then given a twist so that one end will be just opposite the other and appear as shown in Fig. 2.
Secure a common spool and drive two nails in one end, leaving at least 1/2 in. of each nail projecting after the head has been removed.
Two holes are made in the wing, exactly central, to fit on these two nails.
Another nail is driven part way into the end of a stick, Fig. 4, and the remaining part is cut off so the length will be that of the spool.
A string is used around the spool in the same manner as on a top.
The wing is placed on the two nails in the spool, and the spool placed on the nail in the stick, Fig. 5, and the flier is ready for action.
A quick pull on the string will cause the wing to leave the nails and soar upward for a hundred feet or more.
After a little experience in twisting the wing the operator will learn the proper shape to get the best results.
Be very careful in making the tests before the wings are turned to the proper shape, as the direction of the flier cannot be controlled and some one might be injured by its flight.
